Last updated: March 06, 2024
A little slice of Mediterranean style paradise awaits at the boutique style Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa – the perfect place to spend the weekend where you can relax and recharge in charming Helmsley, North Yorkshire (and not have to get on a plane!)
The Feversham’s double height lobby is flooded with natural light as you arrive to check in, while a table of fresh flowers provides a beautiful centrepiece against the statement blue walls. An ornate staircase leads up to some of the hotel rooms in the main part of the hotel and through the glass doors at the other side of the lobby, an inviting azure blue outdoor heated swimming pool shimmers against the tiniest glimpse of February sun.
Classic double rooms face out onto the street and are located in the Feversham’s grade II listed part of the building, while spa suites above the Verbena Spa have balconies overlooking the pool.
Home for the next two days, we made our way outside to a very chic poolside suite. While some of the poolside suites are penthouses with a private staircase to the pool, our pool level cottage style accommodation was cosy and elegant. With a separate lounge area complete with decorative log burning fire, sofa, table and chairs and coffee and tea making facilities, the bedroom was decked out in pretty blues, pinks and greys and was partitioned off from the front room by a thick curtain. Our bathroom, (toastie warm from the heated towel rail) featured a huge rainfall shower and a beautiful roll top bath. Temple Spa bath products included calming skin balms, shampoo, conditioner and shower gels. Despite our room being the perfect retreat, we grabbed our cosy robes and slippers – desperate to see what else The Feversham Arms had to offer us!
After a quick dip in the jacuzzi, we made our way over to the Feversham’s Verbena Spa. Here, there is a salt inhalation chamber with a warm salt mist to promote well-being and it’s known for its ability to help relieve respiratory problems. There’s also a sauna, monsoon shower with alternate settings for tropical warmth and arctic cool, and an aromatherapy room which is fragranced with gentle aromatherapy oils in a moderate 30-35 degree temperature setting. Two foot spas can be filled up with hot water which then bubble up and massages tired feet at the touch of a button.
With an hour long treatment booked in at the Feversham Arms’ Verbena Spa, I filled out the questionnaire while breathing in the calming scents of the spa’s waiting area, feeling immediately relaxed, before enjoying a pre-massage cleansing juice drink. Jess my masseuse talked through a couple of health questions, and left me for a moment to get undressed. My full hour of massage was absolute bliss and being a naturally cold person, I loved the use of heated wheat bags which were placed on various parts of my body to keep me lovely and warm throughout. With ambient lighting and music, and the ultimate in relaxing aromatherapy products from Temple Spa, Jess used the Drift Away massage oil which includes a soothing blend of Mediterranean essential oils like patchouli, lavender, geranium, frankincense, chamomile, myrrh, dill seed and orange for the ultimate in restoration and well being.
What I also loved was the massage table’s electric tilt function so the bed moved smoothly from horizontal to upright at the touch of a button – great for bringing you out of that ultimate state of relaxation!
Floating back to the room to get ready, we were excited for dinner, having heard so much about the food at The Feversham Arms. An absolute must-visit while you’re staying at the hotel, The Weathervane Restaurant sets extremely high standards and offers excellent service, while locally sourced produce showcases the freshest Yorkshire ingredients. Each dish has been carefully thought out with surprising and innovative flavours which work in harmony together and after an espresso martini to snap me out of my massage haze, we made our way through to the dining area.
Always keen to try the soufflé if it’s one of the starters, I absolutely loved The Feversham’s twice baked cheese soufflé with creamy cheese and chive sauce – the chive was a welcome addition to what is often a dish which goes heavy on just the flavours of the cheese. It was also double the size of normal souffles and absolutely swimming in bubbling cheese which I just couldn’t get enough of! My partner decided to go for the Yorkshire rabbit terrine – presented beautifully and light and delicate. The date puree and slight hint of gingerbread worked well with the contrasting texture of crispy chicken skin and kept the flavours interesting with a good hint of sweetness, but not enough to overpower the meat.
With an excellent choice of main courses, (and after having worked up an appetite in the Feversham’s outdoor heated pool earlier!), I felt I deserved the rather hearty press of braised Yorkshire short rib which I actually couldn’t finish! While there’s a lot going on on the plate, the combined tastes of the rich sweet and salty sauce along with the celeriac, roast artichokes and the meat, was quite simply divine. My partner would definitely recommend the corn fed chicken which had the most incredible amount of flavour, piled on top of fresh sweetcorn on the cob, charred cabbage, with a hint of blue cheese.
Breakfast is also served in the same restaurant and offers up a cooked to order breakfast including full English along with Eggs Benedict and hollandaise sauce, as well as a help yourself selection of granola and cereals, fruits and pastries with fresh coffee or tea brought to the table. On our second morning, we actually ordered our breakfast to the room along with a morning newspaper. It arrived piping hot and was a really nice way to wake up, drinking pots of coffee and feasting on a full Yorkshire brekkie in our robes and slippers.
The charming village of Helmsley is well worth a visit to stretch the legs with lots of independent shops, restaurants, pubs and a Fairfax & Favor store offering relaxed countryside chic clothing.
Helmsley Castle is also just a five minute walk away – an English Heritage site with an attached shop through which you pay and enter the grounds. If you fancy soaking up a bit of history, this medieval castle (originally built in wood and later converted to stone) overlooks the River Rye. There’s also a local Helmsley market on Friday mornings with stalls selling books, fruits, local produce and cheeses.
Feel like a Spring escape to transport you warmer climes? An overnight stay at The Feversham Arms Hotel & Spa starts from £169 B&B in a classic room. Or take advantage of this special offer – The Great Escape with an overnight stay, complimentary bottle of Prosecco and chocolates in the room, a two course evening meal from the daily menu, full Yorkshire Breakfast and use of the spa facilities and pool from 3pm from only £239 in a classic room.
